Five Years Since First COVID-19 Cases: Ongoing Impact on Vulnerable Groups

As the five-year anniversary of the first confirmed COVID-19 case approaches, the pandemic's lingering effects are evident globally, impacting vulnerable populations significantly. In the U.S., many immunocompromised individuals, like Susan Scarbro, continue to face challenges, living in fear of infection despite the general population moving on. Meanwhile, Israel has reported ongoing deaths among at-risk groups, attributed to low vaccination rates and inadequate testing, highlighting the need for focused public health initiatives. In British Columbia, the early strict public health measures were recognized for their role in protecting communities, but the lasting impact is still felt with nearly 400,000 cases recorded. Germany also reflects on the pandemic's beginning, noting over 180,000 deaths and the long-term consequences of long COVID while emphasizing the importance of learning from these experiences to prepare for future health crises. Overall, the pandemic's shadow remains, particularly for those at higher risk, as the world attempts to return to normalcy.